Listen to Dolly Parton’s ‘I Will Always Love You’ from Pam & Tommy finale – the perfect emotion for their turbulent relationship

As Pam & Tommy continued to kill it in the soundtrack department with its ridiculously wide selection of songs right up to the end, Dolly Parton’s ‘I Will Always Love You‘ was one of the tracks featured on last night’s finale — Pam & Tommy, Episode 8, “Seattle“.

The song was a superb commentary on the two iconic stars’ turbulent relationship.

A relationship they couldn’t keep going forever, even though to this day the two still say they were each other’s ‘love of their life’.

Dolly Parton’s ‘I Will Always Love You‘ also has a somewhat sad history itself.

The song was written by Parton for vocal duo partner Porter Wagoner, after she decided to leave the singing partnership and pursue a solo career instead.

I Will Always Love You‘ was released in 1973 and became a big hit for Parton. It reclaimed that success almost 10 years later when the song was re-released for the soundtrack of the movie The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

The song itself, minus Parton, hit the charts for a third time in 1992 after Whitney Houston recorded a cover of the song for her film The Bodyguard.

That time ‘I Will Always Love You‘ became one of the biggest-selling songs of all-time, but I still prefer Dolly Parton‘s original version of the song.

Because, while Whitney’s may be powerful, it’s Parton who makes the song touching and sad.

Listen to Dolly Parton’s ‘I Will Always Love You‘ from the finale of Pam & Tom in a gorgeous live performance the singer gave of the song, during which she  explains exactly why she wrote it.

You can also hear the superb recorded version of the track on her 1974 album Jolene.

Pam & Tommy is currently streaming on Hulu.

 

About Michelle Topham

I'm a Brit-American journalist, former radio DJ at 97X WOXY, and Founder/CEO of Leo Sigh. I'm also obsessed with music, anime, manga, and K-dramas. Help!